News

Women’s apparel retailer files IPO
J.Jill Group is looking at a return to the public markets. The apparel retailer, which is owned by private-equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners LP, announced that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. TowerBrook acquired J.Jill from Arcapita and Golden Gate Capital in 2015. The chain was previously owned by The Talbots.
NRF positive about 2017 sales, but potential legislation could pose a threat
The National Retail Federation’s economic forecast for 2017 is a mostly positive one. The association is projecting that retail industry sales, which exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2016, roughly in line with last year’s 3.8% increase. Online and other non-store/online sales, which are included in the overall number, are expected to increase between 8% and 12%.

Pharmacy services segment fuels CVS Health Q4 sales

CVS Health on Thursday reported record fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2016 results Net revenues for the three months ended Dec. 31 increased 11.7% to $46 billion, up from $41.1 billion in the year ago period.
Von Maur destined for Sears space at Woodland Mall

The Iowa-based Von Maur department store chain will be installing a 90,000-sq.-ft. location at PREIT’s Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a space to be vacated by Sears. A 2019 opening is planned. A 145-year-old, family-owned chain of 31 stores in 14 states, Von Maur’s offerings aspired to the high end with brands like Eileen Fisher, Coach, and Tommy Bahama.
Report: Malware attacks drop, but ransomware, IoT threats increase

As malware attacks drop, it is becoming clear that cyber-criminals’ weapons of choice are shifting — and retailers need to be ready. That’s “2017 SonicWall Annual Threat Report,” which is compiled from data collected throughout 2016 by the SonicWall Global Response Intelligence Defense (GRID) Threat Network. This includes daily feeds from more than 1 million security sensors in nearly 200 countries and territories.
Report: Alibaba says it is being falsely accused of selling counterfeit goods

Amid efforts to crack down on the sale of counterfeit goods, Alibaba is in a center of another related fight. The Chinese e-commerce giant said Thursday, Feb. 9, that several intellectual property (IP) agencies were filing false complaints against vendors that continue to sell fake goods on its e-commerce platforms, said Fortune.
More bad news for department store sector — from Moody’s

A less than stellar holiday season for U.S. department stores has led Moody's Investors Service to revise its forecasts downward for the sector's operating income. In its new report, the rating agency said it now expects 2016 aggregate operating income to decline 18%, rather than 11%, and for sales to also decline in the year ahead.
Google pulls plug on hands-free payments

The mobile payments landscape just lost one competitor — for now. Google announced that it was ending its “Hands Free” payments pilot as of Wednesday, Feb. 8. The program, which launched in the San Francisco Bay Area in March 2016, enabled users to pay for goods and services without having to take out their phone, VentureBeat said.
Target to help health-related start-ups ‘takeoff’

Target is prepping for another program aimed at start-ups, specifically those focused on health and wellness. The new program, called “Target Takeoff,” supports health- and wellness-related start-ups through a “mini-accelerator” effort that will help young companies develop and connect with the major retailers in town.
Beauty brand bolsters lipstick selection with virtual reality

Charlotte Tilbury is taking lipstick sampling to a new level. The beauty brand is partnering with YouCam Makeup to deliver an interactive platform that allows users to virtually try on the brand’s 12 iconic lipstick shades — anywhere, anytime — right through their mobile device or tablet.